Friday, May 22, 2009

Just a Horse

If your like me, you might be the only one in your family that is "horsey". I don’t mean you have long ears and a big head , I am talking about the lifestyle that we lead, those of us that have horses.
Over the years, my family has grown to accept the fact that sometimes,(ok most times) my horses come first. It's no secret that I have been known to arrive terribly late and unshowered to important family funtions because I was busy riding or attending some horse related event. Yes, I have left birthday parties early because I had chores to do and I have even declined a few important get togethers because I had a ride, a show, or a lesson to attend with my horse. If you give me the choice to meet up with a friend to ride in the hills in 90 degree whether, flies, knats, dirt, and all, over a quaint get together for brunch with friends, you can pretty much be sure what my choice will be.
Yes, it’s a lifestyle for sure. I have learned to deal with the scoffs, the loss of patience with me when I choose my horse over my not so horsey friends but they also learn to deal with it, and more importantly, not to take it personal.
I am certain I am not alone in this dilemma! While it seems completely normal to me and my husband, it doesn't always make things easy for those loved ones or friends that aren't horsey.
Summer has arrived in Montana and the old saying is 9 months of winter and 3 months of company is ringing true. I’ll have my fair share of company this summer with not so horsey friends and relatives. I stopped thinking of creative ways to explain my habits away to those folks a long time ago and they have learned to deal with it.
It works out beautifully but it does remind me of a poem, of sorts, I keep posted in my tack room that I thought I would share because so often I hear these nonhorsey people say, in their attempt to understand my habits.. “It’s just a horse…” but is it???

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse” or, "that's a lot of money for just a horse".

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or thecosts involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse."Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I didnot once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought aboutby "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understandphrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise.""Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman/man." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.

-Anonymous
Posted by ************ at 9:11 AM
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1 comments:

Once Upon an Equine said...

That is a wonderful poem. I really like it.

May 22, 2009 11:30 AM

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About Barbs, Etc

Greetings and welcome to my blog. I began riding at the age of 5 and haven't stopped since. By the time I was 8, I was involved in the local Pony Club and remained until my teenage years. As a junior rider and then into my young adult years , I went on to train, ride and work with a variety of different trainers and stables, eventually landing in Northwest Montana, where I now call home. Over the years I have been fortunate to experience many different disciplines including hunter/jumper, equitation, dressage, reining, western pleasure and showmanship as well as breeding and training.

Along the way, I grew partial to the Spanish Colonial type horse and through a series of interesting events in my life, became the owner of a few Barb horses, a relatively rare and unknown type of horse. The history of the Barb horse, as best we know it, can be found here.

Join me as I chase down a long time dream to ride and compete in the sport of Endurance racing with my Barb gelding, El Gato Rojo JB. We began our journey in this sport in 2008 and continue working towards completing a true AERC limited distance together.

Barbs, Etc will focus on the sport of endurance as well as journal all my other experiences along the way with my horses here at Acer Farms.

2008 Accomplishments

  • October- JB had xrays to make sure there was not a coffin bone fracture causing lameness. Xrays were negative and lameness due to stone bruise, soles were only 7 mm. We had pads put on JB to offer him protection while his bruise healed. On 10/5, we participated in a poker ride which was 9 miles. JB did well with his pads and had no sign of soreness.
  • August 9th would be our first limited distance ride ever. We completed the first 15 mile loop in 3 hrs and 32 minutes. At lunchtime vetting, JB was exhibiting the slightest soundness issue. Due to 10 more miles of difficult terrain and rocky footing I chose to pull him. He recovered and the rest of August continued with conditioning. On August 28 we had completed a conditioning ride of 14 miles at 2 hrs and 15 min. Out next limited distance competition would be on 9/7
  • July- we began the month doing 4-5 miles which was taking us 1.5 to 2 hrs. Over the course of the month we gained distance and did a few hill workouts. Our last ride in July was 10.5 miles at 1.5 hrs. That was also the first time JB went into the river.
  • September- we were covering 8-10 mile conditioning rides regularly at 1.5 hours or better. JB was gaining quite a bit of muscle now and getting well conditioned. 9/7 we competed in the last limited distance ride of the season locally and once again , Jb came up lame after 8 miles. We later discovered it was a stone bruise that had flared up again after the August ride.
  • June was mostly arena work due to snow, icey roads, very limited conditioning
  • 5/24- Herron Park Limited Distance- opted to do 12 mile pleasure loop 2.5 hours
  • April- JB started on conditioning schedule; arena work, dressage lessons a few 2-3 mile rides at walk with some trotting